January
What departing presidents say to their successors
In every transition since Ronald Reagan’s to George Bush, the outgoing occupant of the White House leaves behind handwritten words for the man taking his place.
A real estate queen and the secret she couldn’t keep
A party guest revealed the part of her identity she had obscured for decades.
Trump, holding court at Mar-a-Lago, says he will go to Carter funeral
Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny were among guests at the black-tie affair, along with billionaire and Trump confidant Elon Musk.
Howard backs free trade and fossil fuels in Trump era
Trade experts doubt a 20-year free trade agreement between Australia and the US will influence Donald Trump’s decision on tariffs.
East Timor bugging ‘in national interest’: Howard
The former prime minister has reflected on controversy and success at an event marking the release of cabinet documents from 2004.
December 2024
Bill Clinton admitted to hospital after developing a fever
The former US president is in “good spirits” after being admitted to hospital in Washington DC.
November 2024
The economics behind ‘credible threats’
Good strategy involves knowing the game, including your opponents, and committing to a strategy.
Why November 5 will not become the Waterloo of wokery
American voters rejected the culture warriors of the left when they picked Donald Trump. But don’t imagine those views won’t still be very powerful in 2044.
Trump has no tragic flaw, just no character at all
Once, character and reputation were prized in our leaders. How is it that a man with none of those is now in with an even chance of becoming president again?
Trump’s flaws make Harris the best choice for Australia
Trump’s trade wars will damage Australian interests, and his lies, vulgarity and conspiracy theories taint democracies everywhere.
October 2024
Harris is done as America doesn’t care about Trump’s fascism
The Democratic candidate is correct that the republic is in danger, but that message may not be enough to prevent the former president from returning to the White House.
How Netanyahu is ‘running rings’ around Biden
The US president had hoped to disentangle from the Middle East. But widening turbulence in the region could influence the US election and define his legacy.
September 2024
Kishida was better on the foreign stage than at home
The outgoing Japanese PM strengthened international ties and was decisive on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, he missed the opportunity to fix the economy.
August 2024
The astonishing metamorphosis of Kamala Harris
Her shift from indifferent vice president to source of Obama-scale enthusiasm has caught many unaware. Yet Democratic talk of victory is dangerously premature.
Democrats put Donald Trump on notice
Vice President Kamala Harris has been miraculously reborn as the candidate of change, of a new generation, of hope and light against the old, dark, divisive past.
‘Urgent’ $1.6b coal deal; BoQ to sack 400; $1b Aussie housing bet
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Democrats, protesters in Chicago to cheer or challenge Harris and Biden
The Democratic National Convention kick-off was expected to draw tens of thousands of protesters, many opposed to the Biden administration’s support for Israel.
James Wolfensohn’s Australian classics lead $14m art sale
The canvases by Arthur Boyd and Fred Williams adorned the Australian former president of the World Bank’s Manhattan apartment and lead Smith & Singer’s big mid-year sale.
July 2024
What if Joe Biden stays?
A second presidential term that was already burdened with political disadvantage will be incalculably more difficult because of questions about his age.
May 2024
How the US Supreme Court became a political organisation
When judges make decisions that should be left to politicians, they undermine democracy.